Category: bike trail

Hurricanes Henri and Ida ripped up the D&R Canal towpath

I dreaded seeing the damage from Henri and Ida. What a mess.

The remnants of Hurricanes Henri and Ida walloped New Jersey in August and September, and the D&R Canal towpath was smack in the path of both. The Millstone River flooded, Canal Road flooded, all kinds of major roads flooded … it was not pretty.

I dreaded seeing the damage to the canal towpath (also part of the East Coast Greenway).

We finally biked the section from Trenton to Princeton after Sunday’s big rally for the Essex-Hudson Greenway. Here’s what we found:

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This fabulous new bike trail in Burlington County is finally officially open

I’ve been waiting for this lovely section of the Delaware River Heritage Trail to formally open. It finally has.

I’ve raved about the new trail from Crystal Lake Park to Roebling before — while it was under construction, while the railroad crossing was being finished … it even made my list of 5 great Central Jersey trails before it was formally finished.

So what more can I add? Beyond go. And offer up more photos to help tempt you.

Continue reading “This fabulous new bike trail in Burlington County is finally officially open”

My final section of the East Coast Greenway: Stamford to New York City

I did it! I’ve biked the entire 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway!

I’ve done it! I’ve biked the entire 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway!

My final day began with drizzle in Stamford, Connecticut, and ended on the steps of the old Post Office across from Penn Station. Those last 40-plus miles encapsulated all that the Greenway is: wonderful trails (the Hudson River Greenway), comfortable residential roads .. and some crazy stuff.

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Hugging the Connecticut shoreline while biking from New Haven to Stamford

I loved biking through the Connecticut shore towns.

What a gloriously sunny day! I loved this first part of the East Coast Greenway, with the Long Island Sound never from from view. You don’t want to know how many times we stopped for photos (and food) between New Haven and Milford.

And then there were the elegant mansions in ritzy Fairfield and Westport neighborhoods that put those along the Greenway route in Ponte Vedra Beach to shame.

But the route wasn’t all simple.

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Biking from Hartford to New Haven, Connecticut, on the East Coast Greenway

First we had to get over a hill — or mountain.

This 59-mile ride from Hartford to New Haven let me once again enjoy those fabulous five-star Farmington trails, some parts of which weren’t even under construction when we discovered them five years ago.

But first we had to get over the hill. Or rather, Talcott Mountain.

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The East Coast Greenway between Hartford and Bolton, Conn.

I’m determined to finish biking the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway. This is the first of four days that should do it.

This section of the East Coast Greenway has changed considerably since the Week-A-Year ride came through in 2012 and even when we visited the area four years later. Two trails — the Hop River Trail and Charter Oak Greenway — are now linked with both fresh asphalt and new bridges, attracting more users than ever. I know groups that would be envious of the sign on that red bridge!

I’m on a quest to bike the entire 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway, and this section marked the start of my final piece. To do it, we biked 18 miles from Hartford to Bolton Notch State Park (the end point of a 2016 ride on the crushed-stone Hop River Trail) and then 18 miles back.

If you have a choice, east to west is easier.

Continue reading “The East Coast Greenway between Hartford and Bolton, Conn.”

I finished my Empire State Trail bike ride! Day 5: Elmsford to New York City

The bike trip that began in Albany and detoured to the Culinary Institute comes to a close with miles of a gentle downhill into the Bronx.

Wow, this was an easy way into Manhattan!

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Empire State Trail bike ride day 4: Poughkeepsie to Elmsford

The long day — and a 9-mile climb –on the Empire State Trail from Albany to New York City.

I stared at that tall mass of green straight ahead. This must be the nine-mile climb our route planner had flagged.

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Empire State Trail bike ride day 3: New Paltz to Poughkeepsie and the Culinary Institute

I love the trails on both sides of the Walkway Over the Hudson.


So we bet wrong on the weather.

Rain – thunderstorms – were in the forecast for this afternoon. And we had a 12:45 pm reservation at one of the Culinary Institute restaurants in Hyde Park. If we could get seated early, we thought, maybe we could beat the storm.

Hah!

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Empire State Trail bike ride day 2: Hudson to New Paltz

Hills, more road than trail … and the lunch stop you must go to.

What a change from our first day! Oh still ridiculously hot for June, but more road, more shade… and more hills. If you have any thoughts of a leisurely ride with the Hudson River in sight, let me kill that fantasy now. This was definitely more challenging.

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